Playing By The Rules: Swords And Swordfighters In The Mycenaean Society, Alexandra Tarlea

Transcript

Dacia NS, 48-49, 2004-2005, Bucuresti, 2005, pp. 125-150. When the problem of Mycenaean swords is discussed, three functions are usually considered: military activity, social life, and cult. In other words a rapier could play the role of a weapon, a prestige item, or an object used in cult activities. Naturally, such a statement raises a series of questions. Are all these possible dimensions of the sword really active? If they are not, which one is in use in the Mycenaean society? If they are, are all three of them of equal importance or not? And again, can it be established which one is prevalent and why? This kind of questions doesn't have always easy answers.